I suspect this may be a first contact with deeper philosophy for many, which accounts for its popularity on HN. Its doubtful that it breaks any new Philosophical ground, and interested parties may be better advised to just read a history of philosophy a an approachable introduction such as Bertrand Russell's work.

It's a tough one. I took it as my only distraction on a week long meditation course. I had no technology, phone signal etc and this was the only book I had with me. I managed to read about a quarter of it and would really need to be in that kind of situation to finish it I think. A great desert island book though, I think.

It's not a good book. The metaphors are tortured and unrelatable.

no, it's not just you. I only made it about 1/4 of the way through

i met that guy in a bar once he was amused i had no idea who he is and said his book was too complicated so i read lolita instead.

won't say where other than there was a social event he does -- apparently people low key stalk the poor bastard. it was weird to me, the koi no yukan style japanophile

then the other folks got pissed i started doing poetry at them centered around the fact they read nothing but pornography catering to their fetishes

("lolita loving white feminist, name me any other nabokov" is a fun way to have someone with a juris doctorate chuck a glass at your head)